Articulated push frame for earth movers



5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Oct. 21, i947. E. w. AUSTIN ARTIGULATED PUSH FRAME FOR EARTH MOVERS Original Filed Feb. 16, 1942 E. w. AUSTIN 2,429,506

RTICULATED PUSH FRAME FOR EARTH MOVERS Original Filed Feb. 16, 1942 3 Sheets-Shea?1 2 ff oct. 21, i947.

Oct. 21, 1947.

E. W. AUSTIN ARTICULATED PUSH FRAME FOR EARTH MovERs Original Filed Feb. 16, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Oct. 21, 1947 'ARTICULATED PUSH FRAME FOR'EAB'IH MOVERS Ellsworth W. Austin, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, assignor to La Plant-Choate Manufacturing Company, Incorporated, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a corporation of Delaware Originaliapplication February 16, 1942Serial No. 431,033. Divided and this application May 23, 1944, Serial No. 537,002

4 Claims.

My invention relates to means of moving earth Y and similar material and is especially concerned with an earth mover of the bulldozer or trailbuilder type which ordinarily comprisesa push plate mounted at the front of Aa tractorand designed to be angled or `disposed'at an inclination to the direction of the advance of the tractor.

It is an object of my invention in general t improve earth movers of the bulldozer or trailbuilder type.

Another object of my invention is toV provide an earth Ymover of the'bulldozer type which is readily adapted to mounting on a standard tractor and for operation by means of cables.

Another object of my invention is to provide an earth mover of the bulldozer type in which the push beams for holding the blade in bulldozing or trailbuilding position lare operated with considerable facility when changing from one position to another.

More specically, the object of this invention is the provision in a bulldozer or trailbuilder Wherein a push plate or blade is pivoted on a push frame, of foldable or articulated struts for locking and maintaining the push plate in any one of a predetermined selected number of angular positions with respect to the longitudinal axis of the Vehicle.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention are attained in the embodiment illustrated in the drawings in which- Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an earth mover constructed in accordance with my invention and shown as a trailbuilder mounted on a standard tractor.

Fig. 2 is a plan of the mechanism disclosed in Fig. 1, a portion of the tractor hood being broken away to disclose the interior arrangement,

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are diagrammatic views showing different positions of the push frame blade and push beams.

In its preferred form, the earth mover of my invention is embodied as a trailbuilder or bulldozer for use with a standard tractor provided With a main frame on which there is an engine compartment and provided at its rear with a cable winch. Included in the tractor are track frames spaced from the main frame and themselves including track mechanism and track beams. Located over portions of the track frames are running boards. Trunnions are mounted in the spaces between the track frames and main frame and are supported by arched brackets secured to the outside of the adjacent track beam and are reinforced by straps also secured to the track beam. On the trunnions a push frame is journalled with at least one member of the push frame having vvariable pivotal arrangement with the remaining portion. At the front of the push frame a pivot pin is mounted forvvariable inclination and a push blade is mounted to pivot on the pin, being held in selected position by folding push beams 'held in selected location by pins which can be variably positioned therein and in suitable apertures in the'push'frame. An operating cable is strung from the winch around a cable wheel which'is movable into a suitable supporting position or into another position out 'of the way and the cable is'extendedthrough a tube secured to the running board 'andthen passes around suitably aligned sheaves mounted on a 'bracket disposed at'one side ofthe engine compartment on the main frame. vThe operating cable then extends Vthrough fthe' engine compartment and around comparable sheaves n a bracket secured on the other side of the' main frame and aligned with sheaves on the' push-'frame so that when the cable is operated the trailbuilder is raisedr and lowered.

While the earth mover of myinvention is susceptible to a wide amount of variation depending upon operating conditions to vbe met and the particular mechanism uponv which it is to befmounted, it has successfully been embodiedintheV form shown herein and in connection with a standard tractor generally'designated 6. "This tractor includes the customary operators station 1, disposed behind an engine compartment 8, both located on the central main frame 9 of the machine. On either side of 'the machine are running boards Il,v which are fastened on the ymain frame and extend over vthe respective track frames l2 and I3 located on opposite Asides of the main frame and disposed to leave'an intermediate space I4 therebetween. 'Included in each ofu the track frames is a track mechanism generally designated I6 as well as an outer track beam I1 extending from the rear sprocket .wheel I8 to a connectionwith the Iforward idlenwheel `I9. A transverse spring 20 or'equalizerbar relates the forward portions ofthe track frames I2 and i3 with the main frameftl.A

In accordance with my 'invention I provide a suitable mountingforan earth moving implement and this comprises a push frame 2l which is preferably symmetrical on both sides of the longitudinal center line although there can`be some variation in the construction on opposite sides. The push frame is preferably mounted on the track frames I2 and [Band for that reason I fastening means 26 securing the arched bracket I to the track beam I1 on the outer side thereof or on the side of the track bean'rawayrn tlie'iii-` termediate space I4. Reinforcing ribs 21 increase the strength of the arch bracket. -As-a.,

further means of securing the trunnion' at 22 in position, a strap 28 is securedthereto-andextends to fastening means 29 securing the forward end of the strap to the inside of thetrack beam I1.

In this fashion a rigidly fixed`trunnion 22 is afforded within the space I4.-

The push frame 2| is adapted to be secured to the trunnions 22 and can either be the/convent tional, box construction U-type or can include adjusting ymechanism to compensate for variations in' environment and operating conditions. For'examplethe grousers on Vthe tracks I2 and I3 sometimes are slat street platesandat other times are`elevated'ice engagingcleats so that the height 'of trunnions 22 from'the ground surface or ice surface varies from'timeto time. Also it is sometimes desired to mount the push frame 2|' with Va permanent horizontal incline with the respect to'the main frame 9 of the tractor and `I consequently provide forV all Aof these conditions. The compensating means can be included inonly one oftheV legs of the push frame 2| or canV be includedin both legs. A description of one'of the mechanisms applies to both if two are utilized. A

'Thepush frame 2| is'detachably connected-to the trunnion 22 by the provision of a bifurcated end` 3| on a push-frame member generally designated 32'and includedV with a forward push framem'ember 33 in' the'push frame. The bifurcated end 3| tssnugly around the trunnion 22 whicl'i'preferably is square and is removably positioned thereon by an L-shaped keeper 34 passing through suitable apertures in the bifurcated end- 3| -and retained in position by a cotter pin.V` The-entire Ypush frame can be 'removed by withdrawing the'cotterpinand thekeeper 34. Adjacent' the' forward end, the push frame member 32 is provided'with part of a pivot connection'31interengaging with a mating portion of a pivot connection 38 at the rearward part of the push frame member 33. A pivot pin 39 secures these members together for pivotal movement inavertical plane. Y f

The relative pivotal movement between Vthe pivoted parts of the push frame is regulated or controlled by an adjusting screw 4| (provided with a lock nut 42) which engages an ear 43 upstanding from the push frame member 33 and likewise vengagesanother ear 44 similarly upstanding from the push frame member 32. With this mechanism one part of the push frame can be raised'or lowered with respect to the other and the height of the push frame can be regulated with respect to the ground. If both sides of the push frame incorporate such adjusting mechanisms, the range of adjustment is increased.

- At the forward end, the push frame 2| is designed to mount a push blade which is of any convenient construction and is usually of box form made up of structural plates and shape. The center portion of the blade structure 5| is provided with a pivot bracket 52, through which a normally vertical pivot pin 53 is passed. This 4 pin likewise is engaged by a bracket 54 mounted on the push frame 2 l.

Adjacent each end, the blade structure 5| is provided with a plurality of pierced lugs 61 which are designed to receive a removable fastening pin 68. Also adapted to engage the fastening pin and occupy selected ones of the positions between the lugs 61 are pierced lugs S9 at the forrear one will be received within a portion of the ward extremities ofa push beam 1| or front link. 4The front push beam member is preferably a channel-or hollow box which, adjacent one end is-V` connected by a permanently positioned pivot pin-"|2-with asimilar channel-like rear push member 13 or'rear link. The structures of the push beam members 1| and 13 are such that the frntduring` folding or articulated movement about the axis 14 of the permanent pin 12. A removable pin 15 is designed to pass through aligned apertures 16 in'the trailing end of the push member 1| and likewise in the forwardportion of the rear push member 13` When the pin 15 is in such position the members 1| and 13 are in alignment and are rigid, constituting then'in a sense a strut although they are equally capable of resisting tension. The rearward end of the push member 13 is provided with apertured bosses 11 designed to receive a removable pin 18 having several functions. In the straight across, or bulldozing position of the blade 5|, as shown in full lines in Fig. 2, the two pins 18 on opposite sides of the machine Vare both engaged in the rearmost one 19, of several apertures which are provided in parallel flanges 8| and 82 outstanding from the side walls of the push frame 2|.

Y In order to change the blade into an angling or trailbuilder position, both the pins 15 and 18 are withdrawn from their respective' locations so that the push beams 1| and 13 are'entirely free except for their relative pivotal connection and except for their pivoted connection by the pins 68. This being so, the first operation is to replace the pins 18 not in the rearmost apertures 19 in the parallel flanges 8| and 82, but rather in the foremost apertures 83 in the flanges 8|. and 82. TheY same maneuver is performed on the opposite side of the machine. Then the push members 1I and 13 are folded with respect to each other about the axis of the permanent pin 12 until the raperture 16 in the member 13 substantially coincides with an intermediate aperture 84 in the flanges 8| and 82. To accommodate this position of the parts the push frame 2| is provided with a pair of pockets 86 and 81 to receive the ends of the forward push member 1|. The pin 15 is then introduced into the aligned apertures 84 and 16 so that a rigid connection is so provided on one side of the machine. On the other side the members 1| and 13 are kept in their same alignment by the pin 15. The push beam is moved as a unit until the apertured bosses 11 and 'I9 align with the forward aperture 83 and the pin 18 is placed therein thereby affording a rigid mounting. With this arrangement the push beams on opposite sides of the machine `are both rigidly pinned in position to hold the blade 5| in its angled location,

Although the specific manner in which the push frame 2| is raised and lowered is immaterial insofar as the invention herein being claimed is concerned, a cable mechanism has been illustrated which is substantially the same on both sides of the tractor. This mechanism is substantially the same on the opposite sides of the tractor. At each side of the forward portion of the engine compartment 8, is preferably provided one of a pair of brackets lH31 and |02 which, at its lower end is secured by fastenings |33 to the main frame 9. The brackets are fabricated Vof structural plates and serve as guides for thrust rollers |34 mounted in suitable forks |36 upstandin'g from the side portions of the push frame 2|. On the brackets are stops v|05 to limit the maximum upper movement of the push frame. The brackets are held in position on the frame by braces |31 preferably of a threaded adjust able character having clevises |08 and |39, the former of which is secured by a pin to a bracket on the main frame 3 and the latter of which is secured by a pin to an extension ||2 on the plate ||l| or |02. In addition, the brackets li and |02 are cross-braced by a channel structure ||3 which extends through the engine compartment 8 and on its opposite ends is connected by removable fastenings IM to the brackets |0| and |02.

On either side of the main frame, the push frame 2| is provided with a pair of ears I6 which are connected by pins Ill to sheave blocks H3 and H9. wheel |2| or a plurality thereof depending upon the desired reeving. In alignment with each of the sheave blocks H8 and ||9 are stationary sheave blocks |22 and |23 located on the brackets Ici and |2 respectively. These sheave blocks are disposed so that the intervening cables are substantially tangent to the pivot center of the push frame so that, approximately, a constant moment arm is available for the effective cable force during the entire travel of the push frame, thus minimizing the bearing loads and stresses in general. Disposed substantially tangent and at right angles to the sheave blocks |22 and |23 are transfer sheaves |24 and |23, respectively, fastened on the brackets and |32 and extending partially into the engine compartment On the bracket lili and substantially tangent with the sheave block |22 and approximately tangent to the running board is a guide sheave |27.

Located on the main frame of the tractor at the rear of the operators station 'l and designed to be driven by the tractor engine is a power control unit or winch i3! of a standard type. This is shown as a two drum winch having a pair of fairlead sheaves |32 and |33 thereon since such is the customary installation. But one of the drums and fairlead sheaves is utilized, however, in connection with the present mechanism. An operating cable |32 extends from the winch drum |36 and over the fairlead |32 to a cable wheel |31. This cable wheel is connected to the tractor by a pivot |33 on the winch housing and normally is held in the illustrated full line position by a movable pin |39. This installation of the cable wheel |37 can be considered permanent so far as the bulldozer and trailbuilder mechanism is concerned but occasionally the same tractor is uti lized for pulling a trailing vehicle without operation of the bulldozer. In that event the cable |34 is removed from any other connection, the pin |33 is withdrawn and the Cable wheel |331 is swung about the axis of the pin |38 to occupy the dotted line position |41 shown in Fig. 2 so as to be entirely out of the way of a cable extending through the fairleads |32 and |33 to a trailing structure.

In the present arrangement of the structure with the cable wheel |31 securely pinned in place, the operating cable |34 extends around the cable Wheel tangentially forward to the guide sheave Each block can contain a single sheave' guided byfa `tube F42 whichis preferablya pipe withfared ends 'secured by-clamps |43 -to the Aopera-ting cable |32 its trained around the guide sheave |-2 and Athenpasses around the sheave block |22. `One or several passes are made'between'such sheave block and the 'sheave blockfl |8 and then the cable passesffrom the sheave block itil around the transfer sheave |24 and through the engine compartment 8. The cable passes in very close proximity to the channel ||3 and a plurality of loops |25 are provided on the channel to confine the cable somewhat and prevent it, specially when slack, from interfering with any of the surrounding engine mechanism. Having passed through the loops |46 the cable |34 then passes around the second transfer sheave |26 and engages the sheave block |23 on the bracket |02. Then the cable is reeved around the opposite sheave block ||9 on the push frame and having made the requisite number of passes between such sheave block and the sheave block |23, is suitably dead ended.

From the above description, it will be observed that I have provided a bulldozer or trailbuilder wherein the pusher plate or blade is pivotally mounted on a push frame and wherein by the use of foldable or articulated push beams or struts the pusher plate readily can be locked in any one of a number of selected positions,

This application is a division of my application Serial No. 431,033, filed February 16, 1942, for an Earth mover.

I claim:

l. In an earth mover having a push frame with front, central and rear apertures therein, and a blade movably mounted on said push frame; a strut comprising a front link having a first pin hole therein and hinged to said blade; a rear link having a second pin hole therein and hinged to said front link; a rst pin adapted to engage either said rst and said second pin holes or said second pin hole and said central aperture; and a second pin adapted to engage said rear link and either said front aperture or said rear aperture.

2. An earth mover for use with a tractor comprising a push frame movably mounted on said tractor; a blade centrally pivoted on said push frame; a pair of folding struts, one of said struts being connected to said push frame and to one end of said blade and the other of said struts being connected to said push frame and to the other end of said blade, .each of said folding struts including a pair of articulated links; means for rigidly fastening one of said links of each pair to the other of said links of that pair; and alternatively operable means for fastening one of said links of each pair to said push frame.

3. An earth mover for use with a tractor comprising a push frame mounted on said tractor; a blade movably mounted on said push frame; a first link pivoted to said blade; a second link pivoted to said rst link; means for fastening said second link to said push frame in either of two locations; and means for fastening said second link to said rst link or to said push frame.

4. An earth mover for use with a tractor comprising a push frame mounted on said tractor; a

7 blade mounted on said push frame to occupy an intermediate position and two extreme positions; a rst pair of articulated links connected to said push frame and to said blade near one end thereof; a second pair of articulated links connected to said push frame and to said blade near the other end thereof; means for connecting both of said links of each of said pairs rigidly together to hold said blade in said intermediate position; and means for connecting one of said links of the respective one of said pairs rigidly to said push beam to hold said blade in the respective one of said extreme positions.

ELLSWORTH W. AUSTIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

